For a start, the very word 'independence' means self-governing, independent of others, help from no one, completely self-sustaining. Scotland (like Ireland) falls far short of that criteria.

At present, Scotland's status quo is tied to the British currency system and, from all indications, Salmond wants to hold to this system.

This analogy also applies to Gerry Adams and his desire for 'independence'. Whether Salmond achieves his so-called 'independence', or not, is totally irrelevant to Ireland's independence being pursued by Adams and co.

Scotland has its own national flag and national anthem and the people are not at war with each other; whereas Ireland (in the 32-county sense) does not have its own national flag and national anthem acceptable to the whole population. For Ireland's unification to occur, it would be in the country's interest, first, to unify with Britain and give the people of this island a new national flag/anthem that is acceptable by all.

Ireland will then have regained its freedom, but, like Scotland, never its independence.